Key holder



E HANNA KEY HOLDER Oct. 31, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 29, 1958INVENTOR.

E. HANNA KEY HOLDER Oct. 31, 1961 Filed Jan. 29, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 dINVENTOR.

nited States Patent G 3,006,182 KEY HOLDER Edward Hanna, Leonardo, NJ.(169 Valley Drive, Navesink, NJ.) Filed Jan. 29, 1958, Ser. No. 711,9794 Claims. (Cl. 70456) This invention relates to key holders, and moreparticularly to novel and simplified constructions thereof that arerugged, inexpensive and attractive.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a novel keyholder wherein the key loops are readily inserted and removed therefrom.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel key holderwherein the key loops are retained firmly, and readily removedindividually, without dislocating the containment of other loops.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel keyholder of relatively simple and inexpensive construction, that isdurable, rugged and attractive.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a novelkey holder that requires no auxiliary lever, containing a leaf springwhich engages the head of each key loop for simplified operation.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel keyholder having a leaf spring contained within the frame in predeterminedalignment for uniform coaction with the key loops.

These and further objects of the present invention will become moreapparent in the following description of preferred embodiments thereof,illustrated in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of my exemplary key holder.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the key holder of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are respective top, rear and bottom views of the keyholder of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of the key holder of FIG. 2, as seenalong the line 66.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view, through the key holder, taken alongthe line 77 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view through the key holder, correspondingto FIG. 7, in an intermediate position of key loop removal.

FIG. 9 is an end view of the key holder with the key loop removed.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a metal blank corresponding to the casingstructure of the exemplary key holder.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the interior leaf spring of the key holder.

FIG. 12 is an end view of an intermediate stage of fabrication of thekey holder.

FIG. 13 is the end view of the leaf spring for the key holder.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view along the line 14-14 of FIG. 6,showing the leaf spring within the casing structure.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are schematic illustrations for construction of the keyholder, as to the retainment of the leaf spring.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 17*17 of FIG. 2,through the leaf spring and adjoining casing structure.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are modifications of the invention key holder.

The exemplary key holder illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, comprises ametallic casing structure having a base 10 with apertures 11, 11 usedfor afiixing as by riveting or eyeletting the key holder to a containersuch as a leather case. The base or back portion 10 extends to the top12, continuing to curved front portion 15, and the face section or apron16. The series of slots 17, '17 is arranged "ice along the flat top 12and curved front 15. Slots 17, 17 are used to individually accommodatekey loops as 18. Each key loop has an opening 19 through which a key isinserted or removed from the loop 18.

Each loop 18 has a spherical head 20 for engagement with the slots 17 ina manner to be more fully detailed. Within the key holder casing is aleaf spring 21 having its upper portion retaining the spherical heads 20of key loops 18. The top edge 22 of leaf spring 21 does not extend tothe top section 12 of the key holder. In this way it fully clears thekey holder body in its swinging action upon the insertion or removal ofthe key loops 18 in a manner to be fully described hereinafter.

. The leaf spring 21 extends across the body of the key holder touniformly coact across each of the slots 17, 17

when a key loop 18 is inserted. The normal position of the spring 21 isagainst the plane surface of face section 16, as clearly seen in FIG. 6.The construction of the key holder is such that the top portion ofspring 211 normally holds inserted key loops '18 within the curvedextension 15 and prevents their dislocation until intentionally removed.The removal and insertion of the key loops 18, as described inconnection with FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 hereinafter, cause the leaf spring 21to swing within the space provided therefor between face 16 and the backsection 10 of the key holder.

An important feature of the present invention is the arrangement of leafspring 21 within the body of the key holder. Towards this end leafspring 21 is located between the angularly disposed front face section16 and the back portion 10 of the key holder. The face section 16encloses the leaf spring 21 by means of vertical flaps 23, 23 extendingbetween the angularly spaced face section 16 and back section 10. Theangular flaps 23, 2-3 further form a seat for the corresponding edges ofleaf spring 21, as will be set forth in more detail.

A lip 25 extends from face section 16 at the apex of flaps 23, 23. Lip25 passes through a slot at the apex of leaf spring 21 as will be morefully set forth hereinafter. In this manner leaf spring 21 is accuratelyseated and firmly positioned within the invention key holder.

The key loop slots 17, 17 extend to the juncture of the curved section15 and face section 16, as seen in the drawings. At such juncture theslots 17, 17 are enlarged. at 26, 26, in order to accommodate theenlarged heads' 20 of key loops 18. The enlargements 26 are circular andslightly larger in diameter than loop heads .20, in

order to permit ready insertion and removal of the key loopstherethrough, yet without much free play. The coaction of the key loops18 with slots 17 and leaf spring 21 are illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.FIG. 7 corresponds to the position of a key loop 18 normally retained inthe key holder. The leaf spring21 is pressed flat against inclined facesection 16, and .the top portion thereof contains spherical head 20within the key holder section 15. The leaf spring 21 subtends theenlargedslot' sections 26 and prevents the spherical heads 20 fromslipping out of the respective slots 17. In this manner the key loopsthat are inserted in the key holder are retained.

1 The removal of a key loop is readily performed by tuming it away fromface section 16 (FIG. 7) and sliding its, corresponding head 20' aboutthe curved section 15. Head 20 is then pressed towards the terminal 26'of slot 17,

pressing the leaf spring 21 towards the back portion 10,

, as seen in FIG. 8. This actionoccurs as the loop 18 is drawn downwardin the slot 17 whereby the loop head 20 is pulled through the enlargedterminal portion 26 ofthe slot 17. The head 20 is readily withdrawnthrough the slot terminal 26, whereupon pressure on leaf spring 21 isremoved and it returns directly, by its spring action, against faceportion 16. In this manner the spring 21'.

6 maintains its normal locking position for the other loops 18 that maybe in the key holder.

The insertion of a key loop within the key holder is simply the reverseof that described hereinabove. As indicated in FIG. 9, the head 20 ofthe key loop 18 is inserted into the terminal aperture 26 of the slot17. This process presses the spring 21 away from its normal position atsurface 16, as seen in FIG. 8. Head 20 thereupon moves up to releasepressure on loop 18 and cause the spring 21 to move into its normalretaining position, as indicated in FIG. 7.

FIG. is a plan View of a sheet of metal blanked to contain the shape andcut-out sections prior to the forming operations in the construction ofthe key holder of FIGS. 1 to 6. Blanking of the metal sheet is performedin a suitable manner known by those skilled in the metal working art.The base portion 10 extends up to bend line 27-27 indicated by a dashedline. The base 10 contains the rivet holes 11, 1.1 and a slot 30 forengagement with the lip portion 25. In the embodiment of FIG. 18 no slot30 is used. The slots 17, 17 are stamped at the intermediate section ofthe blank as indicated, and contains the terminal expanded circularportions 26, 2'6 extending into face section 16. The bend line 28-28shows the relationship of the terminal openings 26 with section 16.

The curved portion and top portion 12 of the key holder extend betweenthe bend lines 2727 and 28-28, the intermediate region 2929 being aboutwhich the curved section 15 is initiated. The depending flaps 23, 23extend from the plane face section 16 along their respective bend lines31, 31. It is noted that the flaps 23, 23 are of triangular shape. Theleaf spring 21 is blanked to the shape shown in the plan view FIG. 11.The size of the spring 21 is determined from its coaction with the bodystructure of the key holder herein described. Its sides 32, 32 are madeto preferably converge at an angle. substantially equal to the angleformed between flap bend lines31, 31 at face section 16 (FIG. 10).

The apex portion 24 of the spring 21 extends from its sides 32, 32. Aslot 3 3 is formed near the apex 24 for engagement with lip and forpositive securement within the body of the key holder as will bedescribed in connection with FIGS. 12 to 18. The bend line 3-4 is formedin the spring 21 before its assembly in the key holder. FIG. 13 is anend view of the leaf spring 21 showing bend 34 separating the apexsection 24 from the body of the spring 21.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the key holder blank after being blanked at anintermediate stage of the assembly of the key holder. The formingprocess includes bending the blank along bend lines 27 and 28, as wellas the substantial formation of curved section 15. The forming stageindicated in FIG. 12 does not complete the full. bending, as it is firstnecessary to insert the leaf spring 21. It is noted that lip 25 extendsfrom face 16 for engagement with slot 33- of leaf spring 21. In the formof FIGS. 1 to 17 lip 25 also engages the corresponding slot of backportion 10.

The broken line showing of the leaf spring 21 in FIG. 12 corresponds toits end view in FIG. 3. It is noted that the apex section 24 of spring21 is made parallel to the final posit-ion (vertical) of the backportion 10 (FIG. 17); and the main body portion parallel to the angularposition. of face section 16. The edge of tip 22' ofleaf spring 21 thatfaces curved section 15, is preferably rounded-01f or otherwise madesmooth of any burrs or sharpness to prevent interference with the smoothmovement. of loop heads 20 into and out of the key holder.

FIG. 14 shows the interior arrangement in the keyholder, being across-sectional view along the line 14-14- of FIG. 6. Theleaf spring 21is seated against the depending fiaps 23, 23 withits sides 32, 3 2preferably juxtaposed against the insides of flaps 23, 23. By coordinating theshape and angular disposition of flaps 23 and sides 3-2, accurateseating of the leaf spring 21 is facilitated. Also, the size and shapeof slot 33- within spring 21 is important. Slot 33- is made toaccurately conform with a close fit over the lip 25- of the casing. Theslot 33 is engaged with lip 25 extending as shown in FIG. 12, and thespring 21 is seated against the insides of the flaps 23 as shown in FIG.14.

The relationship of the bend portion 34 of the spring 21 is such thatthe main body of spring 21 is pressed against the inside of face portion16. It is important that the leaf spring 21 be accurately positioned andseated in the assembly in order to properly perform its functions in theinvention key holder. Towards this end the base of lip 25 is undercut at36, 36, as seen in FIG. 10. In this manner the lip 25 is bent to aposition to receive and seat the apex 24 of the spring 21, as seen bestin FIG. 14. Lip 25 coacts with slot 33 located adjacent the apex 24 ofspring 21. This arrangement facilitates the accurate positioning ofspring. 21 within the face section 16. Accurate positioning insuresuniform pressure and action on all the key loops used, and the exertionof the correct forces.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are schematic illustrations for the method of securementof leaf spring 21 in the key holder embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6. Facesection 16 corresponds to the face of the key holder and has anextending lip 25. The lip 25 engages through slot 33 of spring 21 withthe juncture 37 at face section 16 against the apex 24 of the spring 21.At some intermediate portion 38, spring 21 becomes juxtaposed with onesurface of face section 16 and remains against such surface. Betweensuch intermediate portion 38 and juncture 37 spring 21 is separated fromface section 16 due to bend 34 and the angular orientation of apex 24.

FIG. 16 illustrates the interposition of the back portion 10 betweenapex 24 of spring 21 and face section 16, with lip 25 bent up to holdthese members firmly together. In this manner the apex section 24presses firmly against the parallel back portion 10, whereas the upperspring 21 portion starting at tangent 38 is juxtaposed against facesection 16. The bend portion 34 of spring 21 is thus seen tobe a fulcrumabout which the main body of spring 21 swings due to the insertion andremoval of key loops as described in connection with FIGS. 7, 8 and 9*.

The spring 21 is accordingly firmly locked in the key holder between theangularly disposed sides 10 and 16 thereof. FIG. 17 illustrates this,and corresponds to schematic FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 17 is across-sectional view taken along the line 1717 of FIG. 2. The lip 25engages the back portion 10 firmly against the spring 21 and itsvertical apex portion 24; and the portion of spring 21 above tangentpoint 38normally presses against the surface of face section 16. Theflap 23 between surface 16 and back portion 10 as seen in FIG. 17 (andwith its companion flap-)- holds the spring 21 in accurate alignment andposition within the key holder.

The slot 33, as seen in FIG. 14, as well as coacting lip 25, are madesufiiciently wide to act as centering and locating means for spring 21.Also the dimensional tolerance of the slot 33 is made to closely fit thepredetermined size and shape of lip 25, in order to closely coacttherewith in the locatingof spring 21.

FIG. 18- is a cross-sectional view through a modified key holder inaccordance with my invention. It differs from the final assembly of theprevious form, corresponding to FIG; 17, inthat the lip 25 directlyengages the spring 211. There is no slot corresponding to 30 (FIG. 10)inthe basepo rti'on 10. The seating of spring 21-l, its centering andits action, in this modified form is identical to that of FIGS. 1 to 6.This embodiment, FIG; 18, is somewhat simpler of construction. Thespring seating is accomplished before final asembly, and can be readilychecked and tested. There is no need to mate lip 25 through a slot'inback portion 10. Also, after bending over into the final posi-tionofFIG. 18, I have found that the assembly stays firmly together despitetumbling and plating operations, and in actual usage.

FIG. 19 is a modification of the spring length, corresponding to sideview FIG. 6. The top edge 22 of spring 21" does not extend as close tothe top section 12 as the top edge 22 of spring 21, and the spring 21"is so proportioned to permit the heads of the key loops 18 to movethereover. As seen in FIG. 19, position 20' of the head in dotted lines,can pass over top edge 22 and move to the position 20 adjacent the backportion 10. In this way the key loops 18 may have mobility and bemotivated across the top of the key holder. Nevertheless, the spring 21"covers the apertures 26 so the key loops do not pass out of retainrnentunless moved out in the same manner as described hereinabove inconnection with FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

It is to be noted that the exemplary key holders are of simplifiedconstruction as compared to prior art arrangements, both as to theiroperation as Well as their manufacture. The key loops are readily anddirectly inserted within the slots 17, with spring 21 actingautomatically to permit their insertion or removal, and normallymaintaining inserted key loops 1% within the key holder. There is nopossibility of the key loops to dislodge from their position in slots 17until manually disengaged in the manner described. Also, by suitablyproportioning the temper in spring 21, there is no undue force needed toinsert or remove the key loops. A suitable material for the leaf spring21 is Phosphor bronze, although other suitable materials may instead beused.

The invention key holder is attractive in appearance, and is fullyutilitarian in construction. The blanking of the respective body andspring sections is readily performed in a single operation. The formingor bending up of the casing, as hereinabove described, is a simpleoperation, as is the insertion of spring 21 and final assembly thereof.There is no auxiliary centering or gauging or adjusting of the leafspring necessary before the final locking of the assembly, as wasrequired in prior devices. The leaf spring is inserted in itspredetermined position and relationship, and locked in position by asimple operation, and through the novel construction and arrangementhereof is accurately located while thus assembled.

It is import-ant to accurately position leaf spring 21 with respect tothe key holder assembly, in order to provide a predetermined and uniformpressure and operation at each of the slots 17 and on the associated keyloops 18. This becomes more imperative as the number of key loops usedis increased. The present invention is applicable to more or less thanthe four exemplary slots 17, 17 illustrated in drawings hereof.

While I have described the present invention in connection withexemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modificationsmay be made in the construction and assembly thereof without departingfrom the broader spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. A key holder of the character described comprising a body of sheetmaterial having front, top and back portions constructed with aninternal region to contain heads of a plurality of key loops, said bodyhaving a plurality of parallel slots in the top portion along saidregion each narrower than the diameters of the heads of said key loops,said slots each extending to an enlarged opening in the front portionfor passage of said heads therethrough, the enlarged openings beingarranged in a linear path adjacent the juncture of said top and frontportions, a sheet spring with an end section supported parallel to saidjuncture and arranged to normally abut said front portion and overlyingsaid openings for holding inserted key loops in the holder and impedetheir passage through said openings, said sheet spring having a slotsubstantially spaced from its said end section and engaged with a lipformed integrally with and extending from said front body portion forsecuring and seating said sheet spring in said body in predeterminedalignment and uniform coaction of its end section With said openings.

2. A key holder as claimed in claim 1, in which the sheet spring slot isof rectangular shape with its longer sides parallel to said end sectionand proportioned to closely fit over said lip to thereby establish thesaid predetermined alignment and uniform coaction of said sheet springin the body.

3. A key holder as claimed in claim 2, in which said lip also extendsthrough a corresponding slot in said body back portion to lock saidsheet spring thereagainst.

4. A key holder as claimed in claim 1, in which said sheet spring isbent along a line parallel to its said end section and near its slot,with the sheet spring portion that is located between the bend and itsslot being juxtaposed against the body back portion and forming a springfulcrum about which the end section is pivot-able.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

